In a dramatic fusion of art, technology, and mobility, Lexus has redefined the future of human-machine interaction at Milan Design Week 2025, unveiling a multi-sensory exhibition that bridges the physical and digital worlds through emotionally intelligent design.
Staged in the heart of the Tortona District, the immersive showcase at Superstudio Più is titled “A-Un”, a nod to the Japanese philosophy of synchronised breath between two beings. The centrepiece is inspired by Lexus’ visionary Black Butterfly cockpit interface—a concept aimed at revolutionising driver experience in future electric vehicles (EVs). Together with “Discover Together”, an adjacent exhibit celebrating emerging design voices, Lexus delivers a powerful message: the future of mobility is not just about machines—it’s about meaningful connection.
A Future in Sync: “A-Un” Installation
Crafted in collaboration with Tokyo-based SIX Inc. and design studio STUDEO, A-Un invites visitors to step inside an environment where mobility technology responds to the subtlest human cues. The installation’s architectural centrepiece is a 3-metre-tall Black Butterfly-shaped structure, handwoven from 35 kilometres of bamboo fibre, which pulses in rhythm with a visitor’s heartbeat—a poetic metaphor for mutual understanding between human and machine.
The experience, Lexus explains, mirrors how future mobility might anticipate driver intent instead of merely responding to commands. Powered by 1/f fluctuation—a natural rhythm found in ocean waves and flickering flames—the butterfly becomes a living interface between individuals and the world around them.
READ MORE: Blackmagic Design Unveils PYXIS 12K: A Game-Changing Full Frame Cinema Camera
“We see movement not as a transition, but a transformation,” said Simon Humphries, Chief Branding Officer at Lexus. “A-Un explores a world where mobility understands us, where technology is an extension of empathy and not just efficiency.”
Visitors wander through a dimly lit space, where biometric sensors capture subtle changes in heart rate, triggering responsive movements in the sculpture. The result is a deeply personal, visceral moment: one that reflects Lexus’ ambition to humanise the interface between people and machines.
“Discover Together”: Cultivating the Next Generation of Designers
In parallel with A-Un, Lexus unveiled “Discover Together”, a dynamic installation spotlighting three collaborative works between Lexus and forward-thinking design teams: Bascule Inc., Northeastern University, and Lexus’ own in-house designers. Each explores the Black Butterfly motif as a symbol of potential, transformation, and human-centred technology.
This new initiative also marks the relaunch of the Lexus Design Award—now rebranded as Lexus Design Award: Discover Together—which will resume in Summer 2025, continuing its mission to champion emerging talent across disciplines.
Inside the Creative Installations
🦋 Earthspective – Bascule Inc. (Japan)
This piece invites viewers to reimagine Earth from a macro perspective. Combining real-time data with poetic design, Earthspective shows how human actions—words, thoughts, and emissions—echo into the future. Visitors leave audio messages that become ethereal light trails, gently spiralling into the infinite cosmos on a wraparound screen. The effect is both humbling and galvanising: we are temporary custodians of a shared home, Bascule reminds us, and our choices ripple across time.
✨ Our Energy Nexus – Northeastern University (USA)
Harnessing live environmental data from Milan, this installation visualises collective impact. Visitors touch an interactive butterfly interface that glows brighter as real-world air quality improves—transforming individual action into radiant stars in a shared sky. Led by Chloe Prock, Jasmine Yiming Sun, and Elizabeth McCaffrey, the project exemplifies the university’s integration of immersive media, UX design, and design research. “Our aim was to turn abstract data into a visceral emotional experience,” said Prock.
🐛 Discover Your Butterfly – Lexus In-House Designers (Japan)
A deeply introspective journey, this installation uses motion tracking to unleash each visitor’s personal “butterfly”, reflecting unrealized potential. Drawing from the Butterfly Effect, the design reinforces the idea that even small actions—kindness, courage, innovation—can trigger profound change. “Each flutter is a vote for the future you want to live in,” said designer Yuri Tamura. The installation morphs dynamically as visitors engage, culminating in a kaleidoscope of colour and motion that lingers long after they exit.
Honouring Craft, Reimagining Motion
Lexus’ commitment to takumi craftsmanship—an ethos deeply rooted in Japanese culture—was evident throughout the exhibition. From the meticulous bamboo-weaving of the Black Butterfly to the poetic precision of the interactive displays, the brand fuses tradition with innovation, offering a new definition of luxury: emotional resonance.
The installations also echo Toyota’s broader Beyond Zero philosophy, which not only aims for environmental neutrality, but envisions vehicles as catalysts for positive societal change.
“We believe mobility should elevate humanity,” said Koichi Suga, General Manager of Lexus’ Design Division. “That begins by designing experiences that are emotionally meaningful, inclusive, and regenerative.”
Looking Ahead: The Lexus Design Award – Discover Together
Since 2013, the Lexus Design Award has served as a platform for visionary ideas that intersect sustainability, design, and social impact. The relaunch of the program under the theme “Discover Together” reflects Lexus’ evolving commitment to co-creation, inviting a global community of designers to build on the conversations sparked in Milan.
The new format will deepen collaboration between Lexus and finalists, offering mentorship, prototyping support, and a showcase at Milan Design Week 2026.
A Collective Experience of “Amazing”
Milan Design Week has long been a stage for boundary-pushing design. In 2025, Lexus has not only claimed its place on that stage—it has transformed it.
Through the visceral interplay of light, sound, motion, and emotion, A-Un and Discover Together offer a glimpse into a world where technology listens, mobility connects, and design dares to dream beyond the dashboard.
For Lexus, the car of the future is not a machine. It is a partner. And together, we’re only just beginning to discover where it can take us.
Exhibition Details
Dates:
- Press Day: April 7, 2025
- Public Days: April 8–13, 2025 (11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; until 6:00 PM on April 13)
Venue:
Superstudio Più – Daylight Space
Via Tortona, 27, 20144 Milan, Italy
Exhibits:
- A-Un Installation (SIX Inc. × STUDEO)
- Discover Together Collaborations
- Bascule Inc. (Japan)
- Northeastern University (USA)
- Lexus In-House Designers (Japan)
